A Resource Guide to Low-Chill Fruit Trees

Lotusland Orchard Cultivars

In the October 2008 issue of Pacific Horticulture, Virginia Hayes shared with readers the program underway at Ganna Walska Lotusland to restore the garden’s orchards with fruit trees that are particularly adapted to Santa Barbara’s mild winters. The following list represents the current inventory of low-chill fruit trees that have proven themselves in Santa Barbara (Sunset zone 24, USDA zone 10). Gardeners throughout Southern and coastal California may find that trees on this list will produce reliably in their gardens as well.

This is by no means a complete list of fruit trees valued for their low chill requirements, nor should chill requirements be the only criteria for selecting a fruit tree for your own garden. The University of California, Davis offers extensive information about fruit trees, including their chill requirements. Visit the Fruit and Nut Research and Information Center at fruitsandnuts.ucdavis.edu .

The Dave Wilson Nursery is a leader in the wholesale production of fruit trees, with a particular emphasis on trees for mild-winter regions. Headquartered near Modesto, California, the nursery sells only to retail outlets, not directly to individual customers. Visit the nursery’s website (www.davewilsonnusery.com) for information about the many cultivars of fruit trees available, cultural hints for home gardeners, and information on mail order and retail nurseries offering Dave Wilson Nursery trees; trees can be ordered in advance through many local retail nurseries.